Print-Disabled Persons’ Right to Access to Copyrighted Works in Ethiopia: An Appraisal of Ethiopian Copyright Law in Light of the Marrakesh Treaty

Abstract

Print-disabled persons face barriers to access the accessible format of copyrighted materials in their day-to-day life due to copyright law restraints. Since copyright laws provide to the owners of a work an exclusive economic right including the right to reproduction, distribution, adaptation, and making available to the public, print-disabled persons face difficulties in getting the accessible format of works. This results in the violation of various human rights including the right to access to information, the right to read, the right to education, the right to participate in cultural life, the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress, and the right to employment. With the view of establishing normative standards, the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print- Disabled was adopted in June 2013. The primary goal of this Treaty is to facilitate the accessibility of copyrighted works for print-disabled persons in an accessible format by eliminating copyright law barriers. The Treaty realizes the significance of the international copyright system and intends to ensure that the limitations and exceptions in national copyright laws allow print-disabled persons access to published works. Ethiopia has ratified this Treaty on March 13, 2020, to improve access to copyrighted works for print-disabled persons in the country. This article, thus, intends to make a critical appraisal of the preparedness of the national copyright law regime for the effective implementation of the Treaty. The study employs doctrinal legal research and focuses on identification and analysis of the national copyright law regime in light of the Marrakesh Treaty. Finally, the study concludes that the existing national copyright law of Ethiopia is inadequate in realizing the obligations stated under the Marrakesh Treaty. This article, therefore, recommends the amendment of the national copyright law to make it comprehensive and enhance the effective implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty in Ethiopia.